DNA Weight Management genetic test

The test has over 50 genetic markers (SNPs), covering the most important areas related to weight management, which are:

A. Metabolic and behavioural causes of weight gain

• Metabolism

  • Metabolism is the body’s way of turning nutrients into energy and essential building blocks for cells. Your overall metabolism is influenced by many factors, including your genes, age, sex, hormones, diet, physical activity, and lifestyle choices.

    This section looks at both fat and sugar metabolism. Differences in fat metabolism, carbohydrate sensitivity, and energy expenditure all play a role in shaping your individual response to weight-management strategies.

• Energy production and storage

  • Efficiency in producing and storing energy can vary between individuals. Some people naturally burn stored energy faster, while others are more prone to storing the excessive energy. These differences influence not only metabolism but also weight gain or loss, as well as tolerance for certain types of physical activity.

    Understanding your body’s energy expenditure and the likelihood of fat accumulation can help guide nutrition and training strategies that support energy balance.

• Hunger and Satiety

  • Your body regulates hunger and fullness through a complex system of hormones and brain signals. Two of the most important messengers are ghrelin, which stimulates appetite, and leptin, which promotes satiety. Together, they help determine how quickly you feel hungry after a meal, how much food it takes for you to feel satisfied, and how likely you are to overeat.

    Some people crave snacks more often, or have a weaker satiety response after eating, while others may naturally feel full more quickly or maintain a steadier appetite. By understanding how your body signals hunger and satiety, you can choose dietary habits that align with your natural tendencies and support healthier long-term weight management.

• Nutritional Factors

  • Your ability to process certain nutrients and respond to them can influence both your metabolism and weight management. In this section, we review genes related to caffeine, lactose, and salt sensitivity.

    Differences in how individuals digest lactose may affect tolerance to dairy products and their role in a balanced diet. Caffeine metabolism varies widely between people, which can impact energy levels, sleep quality, and even exercise performance. Sensitivity to salt can also differ, influencing blood pressure regulation and overall cardiovascular health. Knowing how you respond to these nutritional factors lets you fine-tune your diet for your unique needs.

• Infections and Low-Grade Inflammation

  • Chronic low-grade inflammation and past or recurring infections can subtly disrupt the body’s metabolism. When the immune system is continuously activated, even at a low level, it can interfere with normal hormonal signaling and energy balance. This can lead to increased insulin resistance, altered fat storage, and changes in appetite regulation, all of which can contribute to gradual weight gain.

    Certain genetic variations are linked to heightened inflammatory responses or differences in immune regulation. Some people may have inherited variations that make them more sensitive to low-grade inflammation or less efficient at resolving it. Others may show differences in how their immune system responds to infections or regulates fat metabolism under inflammatory stress. Knowing these predispositions can help you take proactive steps to prevent low-grade inflammation and the weight gain it can cause.

• Behavioural Determinants

  • Certain hereditary traits can influence how people respond to hunger, stress, and food-related cues, which may make weight control more challenging. Some individuals may experience stronger hunger and irritability, making it harder to stick to fasting. Stress can increase the drive to eat, especially calorie-rich comfort foods. For others, a greater tendency to snack between meals or a predisposition to overeating and abnormal eating behaviours may make weight control more challenging.

    Moreover, disrupted circadian rhythms and irregular daily routines can affect appetite-regulating hormones, metabolism, and fat storage, all of which increase the risk of weight gain over time. Understanding the behavioural roots of weight gain helps in developing personalized strategies for sustainable weight control.

B. Best Diet for Your Weight Loss

Scientific research shows that people can respond very differently to the same type of diet. For some, higher fat intake supports better weight management, while others may lose more weight on a lower fat diet. Similarly, some individuals benefit more from protein-rich diets, while others respond best to higher carbohydrate intake.

This is where nutrigenomics comes in, the science that studies how your unique genetic makeup interacts with nutrients. By understanding these interactions, we can identify which diet type may work best for your body, creating genetics-based personalized dietary recommendations that reduce body fat mass. This section explores four dietary models and their suitability for weight loss:

• High-fat diet
• Low-fat diet
• High-protein diet
• High-carbohydrate diet
•  

C. Other Factors Affecting Weight Loss

• Weight Loss Through Exercise

  • While some individuals lose fat efficiently through training, others may see only modest changes or even no weight loss at all, despite following similar routines. Research shows that part of this variability comes from inherited differences that affect how muscles use energy, burn fat, and adapt to exercise.

    These genetic variations influence how efficiently the body switches between using carbohydrates and fats for energy (metabolic flexibility), how well mitochondria support endurance capacity, and how strongly exercise improves fat burning, aerobic fitness, and metabolism. As a result, the impact of exercise on weight management can vary widely from person to person. Knowing how you respond to different types of exercise can help you design an effective routine that promotes a healthy weight.

• GLP-1, A Holistic and Personalized Approach

  • This section focuses on GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), a natural hormone that plays an important role in appetite regulation, blood sugar balance, and weight management. GLP-1–based therapies, such as receptor agonists, have shown promising results in supporting weight loss by reducing hunger, improving satiety, and enhancing insulin sensitivity. However, the effectiveness of these therapies is not the same for everyone.

    For those considering medical or supportive therapies, the test highlights whether GLP-1–based treatments may be effective for their genotype. By combining medical support with holistic lifestyle adjustments provided in the DNA test report, individuals can unlock the full potential of GLP-1–related weight management approaches, achieving healthier and more sustainable outcomes.